tree of knowledge. Barabas the Jew, and Faustus the conjuror, are offsprings of a mind which at least delighted to dally with interdicted subjects. They both talk a language which a believer would have been tender of putting into the mouth of a character though but in fiction. But the holiest minds have sometimes not thought it blameable to counterfeit impiety in the person of another, to bring Vice in upon the stage speaking her own dialect, and, themselves being armed with an Unction of self-confident impunity, have not scrupled to handle and touch that familiarly which would be death to others. Milton, in the person of Satan, has started speculations hardier than any which the feeble armory of the atheist ever furnished: and the precise, strait-laced Richardson has strengthened Vice, from the mouth of Lovelace, with entangling sophistries and abstruse pleas against her adversary Virtue, which Sedley, Villiers, and Rochester wanted depth of libertinism sufficient to have invented."] THE HOG HATH LOST HIS PEARL; A COMEDY, BY ROBERT TAILOR. Carracus appoints his friend Albert to meet him before the break of day at the house of the old Lord Wealthy, whose daughter Maria has consented to a stolen match with Carracus.—Albert, arriving before his friend, is mistaken by Maria for Carracus, and takes advantage of the night to trong his friend. Enter ALBERT, solus. Alb. This is the green, and this the chamber-window ; And see, the appointed light stands in the casement, The ladder of ropes set orderly, Yet he that should ascend, slow in his haste, Is not as yet come hither. Were it any friend that lives but Carracus, I'd try the bliss which this fine time presents. And be so slack! 'sfoot it doth move my patience. Not have watch'd night by night for such a prize? Thy faith to him whose only friendship's worth 'Thou canst not live without his good, He is and was ever as thine own heart's blood. [Maria beckons him from the window. 'Sfoot, see, she beckons me for Carracus. Spite of my timorous conscience. I am in person, It may be acted and ne'er call'd in question. All is as clear as in our hearts we wish'd. [Albert ascends, and being on the top of the ludder puts out the candle. Mar. O love, why do you so? Alb. I heard the steps of some coming this way. Did you not hear Albert pass by as yet? Mar. Not any creature pass this way this hour. To lend his trusty help to our departure. Mar. Come then, dear Carracus, thou now shalt rest I have so often tried! even now Seeing thee come to that most honor'd end, Through all the dangers which black night presents, Enter CARBACUS, to his appointment. [They go in. Car. How pleasing are the steps we lovers make, With all earth's good at once 7 I have a friend, To make me happy whilst I live on earth; This is the green; how dark the night appears! She feared to set a light, and only heark'neth That solely lengthens his now drooping years, Yet reason tells us, parents are o’erseen, Their child's affections, and control that love Which the high powers divine inspire them with ; But whilst I run contemplating on this, I'll go into the next field, where my friend M Told me the horses were in readiness. ALBERT descending from MARIA. [Exit. Mar. But do not stay. What if you find not Albert ? Mar. If you should now deceive me, having gain'd All. Sooner I'll deceive My soul-and so I fear I have. Mar. At your first call I will descend. Alb. Till when, this touch of lips be the true pledge Of Carracus' constant true devoted love. Mar. Be sure you stay not long; farewell. I cannot lend an ear to hear you part. [Aside. [Maria goes in. Alb. But you did lend a hand unto my entrance. [He descends. Alb. (solus) How have I wrong'd my friend, my faithful friend! Robb'd him of what's more precious than his blood, His earthly heaven, the unspotted honor Of his soul-joying mistress! the fruition of whose bed I yet am warm of; whilst dear Carracus Wanders this cold night through the unshelt'ring field Of wronged love and friendship rightly makes me. And rows with protestations to fulfil His wish'd desires with his best performance; But like a wretch hides him to dig his grave; I hear one's pace; 'tis surely Carracus. Enter CARRACUS. Car. Not find my friend! sure some malignant planet Rules o'er this night, and envying the content Which I in thought possess, debars me thus From what is more than happy, the lov'd presence Alb. "Tis wronged Carracus by Albert's baseness: Car. The horses stand at the appointed place, And night's dark coverture makes firm our safety, My friend is surely fall'n into a slumber On some bank hereabouts; I will call him. Friend, Albert, Albert. Alb. Whate'er you are that call, you know my name. [Maria appears above. Mar. My Carracus, are you so soon return'd? Car. Who would not do so having past it thee, Mar. Is your friend Albert with you? [She descends. |